An agent-based model that simulates the spatio-temporal dynamics of sources and transfer mechanisms contributing faecal indicator organisms to streams. Part 1: Background and model description

Aaron J. Neill, Doerthe Tetzlaff, Norval J.C. Strachan, Rupert L. Hough, Lisa M. Avery, Sylvain Kuppel, Marco P. Maneta, Chris Soulsby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new Model for the Agent-based simulation of Faecal Indicator Organisms (MAFIO) is developed that attempts to overcome limitations in existing faecal indicator organism (FIO) models arising from coarse spatial discretisations and poorly-constrained hydrological processes. MAFIO is a spatially-distributed, process-based model presently designed to simulate the fate and transport of agents representing FIOs shed by livestock at the sub-field scale in small (<10 km2) agricultural catchments. Specifically, FIO loading, die-off, detachment, surface routing, seepage and channel routing are modelled on a regular spatial grid. Central to MAFIO is that hydrological transfer mechanisms are simulated based on a hydrological environment generated by an external model for which it is possible to robustly determine the accuracy of simulated catchment hydrological functioning. The spatially-distributed, tracer-aided ecohydrological model EcH2O-iso is highlighted as a possible hydrological environment generator. The present paper provides a rationale for and description of MAFIO, whilst a companion paper applies the model in a small agricultural catchment in Scotland to provide a proof-of-concept.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110903
JournalJournal of Environmental Management
Volume270
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2020

Keywords

  • Diffuse pollution
  • E. coli
  • EcHO-iso
  • Microbial water quality
  • Tracer-aided modelling
  • Water quality modelling

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